Push button reed switch



Nov. 1, 1966 A. DE FALCO 3,

PUSH BUTTON REED SWITCH Filed Oct. 4, 196-3 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. :2 2 E ANGELO DE FALCO [ls \JIUJ INVENTOR.

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ANGELO DE FALCO BYQML/ A. DE FALCO PUSH BUTTON REED SWITCH m n wwww Nov. 1, 1966 Filed Oct. 4, 1963 Nov. 1, 1966 A. DE FALCO 3,283,274

PUSH BUTTON REED SWITCH Filed Oct. 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet s ANGELO DE FALCO IN V ENTOR.

BYM

United States Patent 3,283,274 PUSH BUTTON REED SWITCH Angelo De Falco, 37 Argyle Terrace, Irvington, NJ. Filed Oct. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 313,881 14 Claims. (Cl. 335-206) This invention relates generally to push button switches and more particularly to a magnetically actuated push button switch where the switch elements are of the reed type.

In recent years reed switches have found wide application in electrical circuitry where reliable and durable operation under adverse and extremely high speed conditions had to be met.

Under modern day manufacturing techniques conventional reed switches embody the following general characteristics:

(a) They are encapsulated in glass or similar substances having a high dielectric constant which are easily sealed by heat or other relatively simple means and which will withstand the pressures required to establish vacuum or to fill the capsule with an inert gas.

(b) The capsule has mounted therein a pair of coacting leads which have one end fixed and the other end free the respective ends being disposed at opposite ends of the capsule to extend into the capsule along the longitudinal axis so that the free ends overlap each other.

(0) The reeds are made of a material of high magnetic permeability and low magnetic retentivity.

((1) Contacts are formed at adjacent points on the reeds where they overlap.

In my copending application U.S. Serial No. 314,026 filed October 4, 1963, now U.S. Patent 3,243,541, an improved reed switch is disclosed which differs from the conventional reed switch above described.

In brief, this improved reed switch is characterized by the fact that the construction and operative coaction of the reed elements permits them to have one respective end connected to the same point of reference in the envelope so that the external leads of the reed elements extend out of the hermetically sealed envelope at substantially adjacent points to facilitate connecting the reed elements into a current carrying circuit.

Accordingly, in all references made generally to a reed switch or reed switches, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to include not only the conventional reed switches but the improved reed switch of such copending application.

Control of such reed switches is efficiently achieved by magnetic lines of force external to the envelope whereby predetermined polar relationships in the cooperating reed elements cause them to either repel or attract each other.

Heretofore the two general methods of activating reed switches have been electro-magnetic fields and permanent bar magnets.

With bar magnets, however, it is clear from the prior art devices that a substantial portion of the magnetic flux density is lost because they are limited to establishing a single diameter field in the adjacent reeds being actuated, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

In one prior are device as shown in US. Patent 2,923,- 791 a plurality of longitudinally aligned bar magnets in spaced relation to each other to provide an annular actuator has been used with a reed switch.

While this type of actuating mechanism is effective because it simulates the electro-magnetic field type of annular actuator, it is limited from a functional viewpoint and in the distribution of magnetic flux, and, therefore, fails to provide the full and uniform field which is obtained by the electro-magnetic type of actuator.

Ring magnets are well known in the permanent magnet art for a multitude of uses other than for switch actuation.

These ring magnets can be magnetized to give a multitude of varying magnetic fields having a given polarity and strength. For example, ring magnets can be polarized normal to the longitudinal axis so that one end will have a north polarity and the other end a south polarity or they can be polarized parallel to the longitudinal axis so that half the diameter of the ring magnet is north and the other half south, or it can have a plurality of polarized portions parallel to the longitudinal axis so there are a plurality of arcuate sections of relative north and south polarities like wedges of a piece of pie.

Ring magnets have unusual facility because the materials from which they are constructed not only have high magnetic stability but they can also be molded. In addition to establishing predetermined polar characteristics, the mass of the magnet and the intensity of the magnetic field can also be controlled within wide limits and therefore it is easily adapted for use in the present invention.

The significance of these characteristics of ring magnets have been set forth and distinguished because this element is a critical element of the present invention in that it provides in operative position the equivalent field to that obtained by the annular type electro-magnetic actuator.

When the ring magnet is operatively associated with the envelope of a reed switch, it can provide a simple push button switch or repulsion actuated switch having a con tinuous magnetic field of 360, particularly in that form of the invention where the ring type magnet is polarized normal to the longitudinal axis as distinguished from being polarized parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In particular, because of the integral characteristics of the ring magnet, it is easily mounted to provide optimum coupling of its magnetic field to elements of the reed switch.

Accordingly, the present invention embodies a push button reed switch wherein a ring type permanent magnet polarized normal to the axis thereof is disposed relative the envelope of the reed switch so that the ring magnet will act to actuate or deactuate the elements of the reed switch.

The ring magnet means can, if desired, be movable and coact either with a mechanical resilient return means such as a spring, bellows or the like type device, or it can coact with another magnetic means in which the repulsive forces of the magnetic fields act as a magnetic spring; to provide for returning the ring magnet actuating means to its nonactuated position.

Where the ring maget means has a fixed relationship to the elements of the reed switch and the magnetic field is shunted by a suitable device, such device can in turn be associtaed with a return means for accomplishing the same type of actuation or deactuation of the reed elements in the switch.

In the construction disclosed herein the forces required to operate the push button of the switch can be of extremely light actuating pressures such as occurs when two magnetic elements are utilized for actuating and as a return means.

Another type of force is that which is established by a mechanical element such as a resilient spring which coacts with the ring magnet actuating means and forms a return means which devices can be adjusted between any given limits depending on the number of coils, and the diameter of the coil material.

In substance the pressure necessary for actuation can be varied from less than one gram to several pounds as a particular application may require.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and reliable push button switch in which the desired force for operation can be predetermined.

It is another object of the invention to provide a relative simple switch structure which is operable under the influence of an annularly disposed magnetic field.

It is a further object to provide a simple push button switch which is explosion proof because of the sealed reed elements which coact with the magnets in this device.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a conventional reed switch.

FIGURE 2 shows one form of applicants improved reed switch.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken at 3-3 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective of one of the reed elements of the improved reed switch shown in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective of the other reed element of the improved reed switch shown in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 6 is another form of improved reed switch.

- FIGURE 7 is a cross-section taken on 77 of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-section taken on 88 of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic sketch of the lines of force for a ring magnet.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the coaction of the ring magnet with conventional reed switch.

FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the coaction of the ring magnet with the improved reed switch of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the coaction of the ring magnet with the improved reed switch of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 13 shows one form of push button switch utilizing the reed switch of FIGURE 1 and having a mechanical return means.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged view of one form of push button assembly.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged view of an adjustable mounting support for push button reed switches of the present invention.

FIGURE 16 shows the push button switch having a mechanical return means utilizing the reed switch of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 17 is a cross-section taken on 1717 of FIG- URE 16.

FIGURE 18 shows the push button switch having a mechanical return means utilizing the reed switch of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 19 shows another form of push button switch utilizing the reed switch of FIGURE 1 and having a magnetic return means.

FIGURE 20 is a cross section taken at 1919 of FIG- URE 19.

FIGURE21 shows the push button switch with magnetic return means utilizing the improved reed switch of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 22 is a cross-section taken on line 2222 of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 23 is another form of push button switch utilizing the reed switch of FIGURE 1 and having a positive magnetic actuating means of the push on-pull off type.

FIGURE 24 shows the push button switch of the push on-pull off type utilizing the improved reed switch of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 25 is a further form of push button switch utilizing the reed switch of FIGURE 2, having a fixed permanent magnetic means for actuating the reed elements and means for shunting the magnetic field to affect the desired actuation of the switch.

FIGURE 26 is a cross-section taken at 2626 of FIG- URE 25.

FIGURE 27 is an exploded view of the push button assembly and shunt means for the invention shown in FIG- URE 24.

FIGURE 28 shows the push button switch with shunt means utilizing a conventional reed switch.

FIGURE 29 is a further form of push button switch utilizing a plurality of reed switches as shown in FIGURE 1 and having a magnetic return means.

FIGURE 30 is a top view showing another adjustable stop means.

FIGURE 31 is a cross-section taken at 3131 of FIG- URE 29.

FIGURE 32 is also a further form of push button switch utilizing a plurality of reed switches as shown in FIGURE 2 peripherally disposed and staged, for predetermined staggered operation with respect to a centrally disposed magnetic actuating and return means.

FIGURE 33 is a cross-section taken at line 3333 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 34 shows a push button switch utilizing the form of invention shown in FIGURE 2 with resilient return means and having an indicator light. v

' FIGURE 35 is a side elevation of a switch utilizing the reed switch of FIGURE 1 and having a magnetic holder disposed to be moved in a linear plane parallel to the axial line of the reed switch but disposed a spaced lateral distance from the axial line.

FIGURE 36 is an end view of the invention shown in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 37 is a top view of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 38 is a perspective view of the magnet holder and the magnets in exploded form.

Refer-ring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a conventional reed switch element generally designated RS which includes an envelope or capsule 10, having .a pair of diametrically opposed reed elements 11 and 12 mounted therein so that one end of each of the respective reed elements is mounted at an end of the envelope 10 opposite f-r-om the other reed element; the respective reed elements being disposed to extend longitudinally in the envelope o-r capsule 10 so that the free ends of these reed element-s overlap each other.

Contacts 13 and 14 are formed at the respective fr e ends of the reed elements 10 and 11, and these contacts coact with each other when the reed elements are actuated by any suitable magnetic actuating means such as is described hereinafter.

The envelope 10 may be of any suitable dielectric material such as glass and as shown in FIGURE 1 the reed elements 11 and 12 are hermetically sealed in the envelope as at 15 and 16 and extend exteriorly of the reed element as indicated by the external leads 17 and 18.

In all of the figures where reed switches of this type are shown hereinafter, identical elements will be given the same character numerals as those above set forth.

This reed switch is not more fully described because it is well known and easily purehasable on the open market.

FIGURE 2 shows one form of an improved reed switch described .in my copending US. application Serial No. 314,026 filed October 4, 1963, now 'U.S. Patent 3,243,541.

In this form of the invention the reed switch generally designate-d RS is provided with a conventional glass envelope housed at 20 which is an elongated hollow member made of a glass or other dielectric material easily heat sealed and able to withstand the application of vacuum pressure depending on the procedure used in hermetically sealing the reed elements 21 and 22 in the envelope.

Reed elements 21 and 22 are mounted in the envelope so that one respective end of each element is connected through the base 23 of the envelope 20. They extend into the envelope in the same directions essential-1y parallel to each other and in the longitudinal axis or line of the envelope 20 to permit the sections thereof disposed remote from the connected end to be side by side and to communicate or coact with each other.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, a contact point is struck as at 24 on reed element 22 and a contact point 25 is formed on reed element 21 at an intermediate point along this element.

Contact point 24 is at the free end of reed element 22, whereas contact point 25 is intermediate the end of the reed element 21 which element it will be noted is longer than the reed element 12 for purspose which are described more fully and completely in my copending U.S. application Serial No. 314,026 filed October 4, 1963, now US. Patent 3,243,541.

The connected ends of the respective reed elements are hermetically sealed as at 26 and 27 and extend externally of the envelope by means of the external leads 28 and 29. These leads serve to connect the improved reed switch into the current carrying circuit in which it will be utilized.

The reed element 22 is bent adjacent the free end to permit the contact 24 in reed element 22 to coact with the contact 25 on reed element 11.

In FIGURES 2 and 4 the reed element 21 is shown as having a portion of lesser thickness as at 21a which may be struck or cut or established by any other means suitable so that the element 21 will 'be relatively flexible compared with the element 22. Thus when the reed switch coacts with an electro-magnetic actuator or permanet magnet actuator, the element will fiex and be actuated towards or away from the element 22 under the influence of the magnetic forces so that the contacts 24 and 25 can coact with each other.

It is obvious that the element 22 could be made flexible and element 21 fixed or both elements may be made flexible if desired without departing from the scope or spirit of this improved type of reed switch.

FIGURE -6 shows an alternate form of the improved reed switch described in my copending US. application Serial No. 314,026 filed October 4, 1963, now US. Patent 3,243,541, and this form of improved switch embodies a single pole double throw reed switch which provides great facility for some current carrying circuits.

FIGURE 6 shows that this form of reed switch generally designated RS", as in the conventional form or the improved form of FIGURE 2, embodies an envelope as at 30 having a base 31 in which reed elements 32, 33 and 34 are each mounted so that one end is hermetically con nected as at 35, 36 and 37 to the base 31, and the respective reed elements extend through the base 31 to form the external leads 38, 39 and 40 for these elements which leads are adjacent each other and are located in substantially the same external area of the envelope.

The respective reed elements extend from their point of connection to the base 31 int-o and along the longitudinal line of the envelope in the same direction and substantial-1y parallel to each other so that the sections of reed elements 32, 33 and 34, remote from the connected end, lie side by side and are free to coact with each other.

The reed elements 32, 33 and 34 are of different length, and this is necessary in order to accomplish the desired operative relation of the parts. Reed element 33, the middle element of this plurality of elements, is an elongated element longer than the other reed elements 32 and 34.

The reed elements 32 and 34 are identical with each other and with reed element 22 of FIGURES 2 and except that they differ in length by approximately Ms" to 3A6".

Element 33 is substantially identical with element 21 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings and ac- 6 cordingly includes the struck portion as at 41 to render it flexible.

Reed element 33 coacts with the other reed elements 32 and 34 and will have contact points as at 42 and 43 which contact points will be spaced vertical to each other similar to the spacing for the contact points 44 and 45 on the respective reed elements 32 and 34.

The reed elements 32 and 34 are substantially stationary elements and are disposed on opposite sides of the reed element 33 to permit the desired coaction between the contacts 42 and 45 and 43 and 44.

In operation when any suitable magnetic actuator is utilized with the form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 6, of the drawings, the elongated reed element 33 is disposed to move between two positions. One position will be the normally closed position with respect to one of the coacting reed elements, and the open position with respect to the other coacting reed elements. On actuation, this position is reversed. In the second or other position the normally closed elements will open and the normally open elements will close.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that this reed switch provides a single pole double throw switch which is highly reliable under adverse conditions under which these devices are required to operate.

It will be clear that any one or alternately any combination of the above described reed switches can be utilized where a reed switch is specified in the push button switches hereinafter described.

It a ring magnet is disposed concentric with the axis or longitudinal line of the respective envelopes 10, 2t) and 30 so that it can be. moved in either direction along the axial or longitudinal line of the envelope, or alternatively be fixed with respect to the contacts of reed elements in the envelope and a shunt means moved to divert the magnetic field that a relatively simple switch is formed as will be understood by those skilled in this art.

FIGURE 9 illustrates diagrammatically the magentic lines of force for a ring magnet RM and shows that these magnetic lines of force form a continuous 360 annular field.

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the operative relation of the magnetic lines of force of such ring magnet with the respective conventional reed switch and the forms of the improved reed switch above described.

In operation with a conventional reed switch where the reed switches only come normally open, the contact portions of the reed switch will be poistioned relative to the center line of the ring magnet means so that when the ring magnet means is depressed the center line of the ring magnet means passes substantially normal to the contact portions, and the contacts will act to attract each other.

When the normally closed operation is desired with a conventional reed switch, the center line of the ring magnet means niust be initially disposed normal to the contact portions of the reed elements so as to bias them into contact relationship with each other. Then when the ring magnet means is depressed, it will be moved to a nonactuating position where it will no longer influence the contacts of the reed elements and the contacts will therefore return to their normally open position.

In the case of the improved reed switches, the reed elements thereof can be initially set in either normally open or normally closed position.

In operative relation with the ring magnet means, when the center line of the ring magnet is at or near the free end of the element that is not elongated, the elongated element will be attracted to the non-elongated element or vice versa depending on the flexing conditions. Conversely, when the ring magnet means has its central line normal to the contacting portions of the respective reed elements it will cause the reed elements to repel each other which is opposite to the operation with a conventional reed switch.

In the description which follows. hereinafter various forms of push button switches are shown to fully illustrate the present invention.

For the most part the push button assemblies for holding the ring magnet means in position and for relative movement with respect to the reed switches will be of the type which moves along the longitudinal or axial line of the reed switch.

In certain forms of the invention the ring magnet means is held stationary and the shunt means concentric to the axial line of the reed switch assembly is moved to divert the magnetic lines of force of the ring magnet and thus actuate or deactuate the reed elements.

In a still further form of the present invention a holder is provided for the ring magnet means such that the holder slides in an axial plane spaced from but parallel to the axial line of the reed switch element.

These various forms of the invention utilizing the reed switches of the various types above described and utilizing the basic combination of reed switch and coacting ring magnet means will now be respectively described.

In referring to the coaction of the ring magnet means with a reed switch the use of any one of these reed switches is interchangeable with the other, and where a plurality of reed switches are used in any particular push button switch hereinafter described the reed switches may be used alternately, interchangeably or in any combination that may be desired.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH MECHANICAL RETURN MEANS FIGURES 13, 16 and 18 show one of the simpler forms of the present invention as applied to each of the respective reed switches above described. Therefore, when the same or substantially similar elements appear in these respective forms they will be given the same numerals to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Referring to FIGURE 13, the drawings show a conventional reed switch RS mounted in a base 50 by means of a mounting support 51 to permit it to extend longitudinally and coaxially with the axial line of an elongated cylindrical casing element 52 having one end connected about the base 50 and of sufficient length to extend beyond the end of the read switch RS remote from the connected end so as to form a chamber 53 about the reed switch.

The reed switch external lead 18 extends through the mounting support 51 to connect one side of the reed switch into the circuit in which it will be utilized and the external lead 17 is carried down along side the envelope to a contact prong 54 which extends through the base 50 to provide means for connecting the opposite side of the reed switch into the circuit.

It is further noted that the reed switch RS is shown as fixedly mounted in the mounting support 51. However, the mounting support 51 will include means such as 51a to permit the reed switch RS to be positioned so the switch will operate from a normally open or a normally closed position as the circuit may require and as will be decribed hereinafter.

It is, of course, possible to make the mounting support adjustable as is shown in FIGURE of the drawings wherein the mounting support 51' will be threadedly connected as at 51b in the base 50. By threading the mounting support 51' in or out, the longitudinal position of the reed switch RS can be altered. A locking nut 51a is also provided.

The upper end of the casing has a transverse end wall 55 which has a center opening 56 formed therein in the axial line of the casing 52 to provide an inner guide surface for a push butt-on assembly generally designated 57.

The transverse end 55 is threaded as at 58 on its peripheral portion to provide means for mounting the push button switch to a chassis or a control panel as the application might require.

An adjustable stop member 59 is threadably connected in the transverse end wall '55 and extends therethrough into the chamber 53. The exterior end 60 of the stop member 59 is adapted to receive either a screw driver or an Allen wrench to thread the stop member 50 in or out as may be required to adjusta-bly position the push button assembly 57 for the initial setting or for a change in the initial setting of the push button switch sensitivity, and to permit uniform adjustment of each switch to correct for variations in the tolerance of parts.

The opening 56 communicates With the chamber 53 formed by the elongated cylindrical casing 52. Slidably disposed in the opening 56 is the push button assembly 57 which is shown in enlarged form at FIGURE 14 of the drawings.

The push button assembly 57 is a hollow cylindrical member having a guide section 61 with a diameter such that it forms a sliding fit with the opening 56; a magnet holding section 62 of aslightly larger diameter which forms a sliding fit with the inner wall of the chamber 53 and a stop shoulder 63.

The guide section 61 and the magnet holding section 62 are connected by the stop shoulder 63 as shown in FIGURE 14, which stop shoulder 63 coacts with the adjustable stop means 59 for calibrating the initial position of the push button assembly 57.

The outer end 64 of the guide section 61 is shown closed. It is believed that those skilled in the art will understand that the outer end 64 could be solid or transparent as may be desired by either forming the push button assembly of plastic or the like material or by using a transparent insert in the outer end 64.

As is further shown in FIGURE 14 of the drawings the guide section 61 is provided with a key 65 which coacts with a groove 66 formed parallel to the axial line of the casing 52 in the inner wall of the opening 56. The purpose of the key and. groove is to permit reciprocating non-rotational movement of the push button assembly 5'7 during operation of the push button switch.

The guide section 61 will also have a length sufiicient to .permit full movement of the push button assembly from the non-actuated to the actuated position or vice versa whether the reed elements are in normally open or normally closed position.

A ring magnet means 67 is mounted in the end of the magnet holding section 62 remote from the stop shoulder 63. It may be aflixed to the magnet holding section by an epoxy resin adhesive by mechanical means such as the lugs 68a, 68b, etc., which permit the ring magnet means 67 to be snapped into assembled position in the magnet holding section.

The ring magnet means 67 is an annular or toroidal member having a center opeing 69 which permits the magnet to be slideably fitted about the outer surface of the envelope 10 of reed switch RS.

Such magnets are made of a ferretic or compacted ceramic and ferretic material characterized by magnetic stability and can be purchased on the open market under various trademarks such as Alnico, Indox, etc.

Magnets of this type during manufacture can be polarized and the strength of the magnetic field established. In the various figures of the drawings, the respective north or south poles are indicated by the designated letters N and S.

The'amount of magnetic coupling between the reed elements and the magnetic field of the ring magnet means 63 is determined by the strength of the magnet and the diameter of the center opening in the ring magnet.

The larger the diameter, the larger the annular space formed between the exterior of the envelope and the inner wall of the center opening and as a result the smaller the degree of coupling.

Therefore, the degree of magnetic coupling can be varied over a wide range to produce a wide variety of reed switch functions, for example, a long or wide differ- Q ential type push button switch or a sharp or narrow differential type push button switch.

The operation diiTerential can be in the order of ,4 travel of the ring magnet means or possibly less, if desired.

The diameter of the center opening 69 in the ring magnet means 67 can be adjusted at the time of manufacture to accommodate the wide variety of reed switches currently purchasable on the open market.

Since the length of the magnet holding section 62 can be substantially predetermined, the position of the reed switch RS when it is mounted in the mounting support can also be fixed so that the coacting contacts 13 and 14 of the reed elements 11 and 12 are disposed relative to the center line of the ring magnet means 67 depending on whether normally open operation or normally closed openation is desired.

Thus, where normally open operation is desired, since reed switches come normally open, the contacts will be positioned relative to the center line of the ring magnet means 67 so that when the ring magnet means is depressed, the center line of the ring magnet means passes substantially normal to the contacts 13 and 14, and the contacts will attract each other.

Conversely, Where normally closed operation is desired, the reed switch RS will have to be set so that the center line of the ring magnet means 67 passes through the contacts 13 and 14 and thus the contacts are biased into contact with each other until the push button assembly 57 is depressed and the ring magnet means 67 is moved to a non-actuating position where it will no longer influence the contacts 13 and 14 to attract each other. The contacts will, therefore, return to the normally open position of the reed switch.

When the push button assembly 57 is returned to its initial position as might be done, for example, responsive to the reaction of the resilient element or spring 71 as shown in FIGURE 13, the contacts 13 and. 14 will in each instance return to their initial relationship.

It has been found that reed switch sensitivity will vary from switch to switch due to the variations in the tolerance of the parts, the magnetic flux density, etc. Hence, to render a plurality of push button switches substantially uniform, the adjustable stop means 59 is provided and each of tthe switch limits are calibrated with the stop means 59 to a given standard.

Where the use of this calibration device is not necessary, the connecting wall 63 can coact with the inner face of the transverse and wall 55 of the elongated cylindrical casing 52, and operation will be otherwise identical for such units.

When all the elements are placed in assembled position as shown in FIGURE 13 and where required, the switch calibrated, then the switch can be connected in a particular circuit for the desired use.

In the normally open arrangement of FIGURE 13, when the push button assembly is depressed inwardly as shown in the dotted position of FIGURE 10, then the upper reed element 11 is cut by the magnetic lines of force so as to form a north polarity at the contact 13, and the lower reed. element 1.2 is cut by magnetic lines of force so as to form a south polarity at the contact 14, and the contacts attract and make contact with each other.

When the force depressing the push button inwardly is released, the spring 70 which is now under compression will return the push button assembly 57 into engagement with the adjustable stop shoulder 59 and the coacting faces of the contacts 13 and 14 will now both have the same polarity or they will be cut by insufficient lines of magnetic flux to induce the attractive forces, and as a result they physically bias themselves to their normally open condition.

In FIGURE 16, the push button switch is substantially similar in construction to the form of the switch shown in FIGURE 13.

It difiers to the extent that the improved reed switch of FIGURE 2 is used instead of the conventional reed switch shown in FIGURE 13.

Accordingly elements of this form of the invention previously described are given the same character numerals.

If the improved reed switch of FIGURE 2 in this form of the invention is set for normally closed operation as shown in FIGURE 16, then the push button assembly must be adjusted initially so that the center line CL of the magnet is just above the end of reed element 22.

When the push button assembly 57 is depressed, for example as shown by the dotted line in FIGURE 11 of the drawings, so that the center line of the magnet passes through the contacts 24 and 25 of the reed. elements 21 and 22, the reed elements will repel each other and break contact.

The spring 70 will return the initial position.

If the improved reed switch in this form of the invention is set for normally open operation, then the pus-h button assembly is adjusted so that when it is depressed it will move the center line of the ring magnet 63 to a point just above the end of reed element 22.

In this position as above outlined for FIGURE 11, the contacts 24 and 25 will attract each other and move the reed elements into contacting relationship.

The spring 70 will as before act to move the push button assembly 57 back to its initial position.

FIGURE 18 also shows a push button switch having substantial identity with that above described for FIGURE 13 of the invention.

It difl ers in that the reed switch is in the form of improved reed switch as shown in FIGURE 12 of the drawings, and the push button assembly 57' does not have the key and guide arrangement of the push button assembly 57.

Accordingly elements of this form of the invention previously described will have the same character numerals.

In operation, the ring magnet 63 is set so that the CL is just above the reed element 32. When it is depressed, the operation of the reed switch will be identical with that of the reed switch above described in FIGURE 12 of the drawings.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH MAGNETIC REPULSIVE FORCES FOR RETURN MEANS In FIGURE 13, the push button assembly is shown as being held in assembled position by a mechanical means such as a resilient element.

In FIGURE 19 of the drawings, the push button assembly is held at its initial setting by the magnetic repulsive forces established between a pair of coacting magnets. In other words, the coacting magnets act as a magnetic spring.

Thus, the push button switch of FIGURE 19 includes the base in which a conventional reed switch RS is mounted as by a suitable mounting support 81 to permit it to extend longitudinally and coaxially along the axial line of an elongated cylindrical casing 82 which has one end connected to the base 30 and is of sufiicient length to extend beyond the end of the reed switch RS remote from the connected end so as to form a chamber 83 about the reed switch.

As in the case of the push button switch shown in FIG- URE 2, only one end of the reed switch is connected to the base and thus the lead element 18 extends through the mounting support 81. The lead element 17 at the end remote therefrom is brought down through the casing to the contact prong 84 which extends through the base 80 to connect in the chamber 83 with the lead 17 and connects externally in a current carrying circuit with the lead element 18 of the reed switch.

The mounting support 81 is fixed but has means as at 31a to position a reed switch RS for normally open or push assembly to its 1 I normally closed operation or be adjustably mounted as shown in FIGURE 15.

The end of the elongated cylindrical casing 82 remote from the end connected to the base 80 has a transverse wall 85 in which a center opening 86 is provided in the axial line of the cylindrical casing 82 to provide an inner guide surface for the push button assembly generally designated 87.

The outer periphery of the transverse wall 85 is threaded as at 88 to provide means for mounting the push button switch in a chassis or control panel.

The transverse wall is also provided with an adjustable stop means 89 which opens on the outer face of the transverse wall where it receives either a screw driver or Allen wrench in the opening 90 to thread the adjustable stop means 89 inwardly or outwardly for providing the desired calibration of the push button assembly 87.

The push button assembly 87 includes a guide section 91 having a diameter such that it will have a sliding fit with the inner wall of the opening 86 and a magnet holding section 92 for holding a ring magnet means 94 in position.

Between the guide section 91 and the magnetic holding means 92 is a stop shoulder 93 which -as shown in FIG- URE 19 extends as at 93a beyond the outer diameter of the magnet holding section to form a sliding fit with the inner wall of the chamber 83 of the elongated cylindrical casing 82. The extension 93a of the stop shoulder 93 acts to prevent cocking of the push button assembly 87 relative to its coaction with the adjustable stop means 89 on reciprocating movement of the push button assembly.

This stop shoulder 93' will coact with the inner face of the adjustable stop means 89 so that the ring magnet means 94 of the push button assembly 87 can be calibrated relative the contacts 13 and 14 of the reed switch as above described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13.

The ring magnet means 94 is identical with that described above for the FIGURE 13 and will therefore be mounted in the push button assembly 87 either by an epoxy resin as at 95 or by the lug means 63a and 63b shown in the FIGURE 13 push button assembly.

The ring magnet means 94 of the push button assembly 87 is moveable therewith when the push button assembly is depressed or calibrated along the axial line of the reed swtich RS.

This movable magnet 94 will coact with a fixed magnet 96 which is disposed adjacent the base 80 and held in assembled position by the lug elements 97a and 97b provided on the inner wall of the chamber 83 of the elongated cylindrical casing 82.

This magnet is similar to magnet 94 and that of the ring magnet described for the 'FIGURE 13 form of the invention, and is, therefore, not more fully described here- However, it will be noted that the respective magnets 94 and 96 are disposed so that their respective north poles face each other, and the effect of this is that the magnetic forces of repulsion will work to provide the resilient force necessary to produce the desired operation.

The fixed ring magnet means 96 and the moveable magnet 94 are positioned normal to the axis of the reed switch RS to achieve the effect of the magnetic field during operation and the repulsive forces desired in this form of the invention.

The fixed magnet thus in effect serves the same purpose as the mechanical resilient element described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13.

Since the fixed magnet 96 has a magnetic field independent from that of the ring magnet means 94, it may be desirable to utilize this field in initially presetting or biasing contacts 13 and 14 of the reed elements 11 and 12. For this purpose an adjustable means is provided including slots 97a and 97b in the casing 82 which receives threaded members 99a and 99b threadably connected to 12 the lugs 98a and 9812 respectively, as is shown in FIGURE 6.

Lock washers 100a and 10% about the respective threaded members 99a and 99b abut the outer surface of the casing 82.

By loosening and retightening the threaded members 99a and 9917, the fixed magnet 96 can be moved and fixed to the desired operative position.

Alternatively, the opening 101 in the magnet 96 can be made to have a sliding fit with the outer surface of the envelope or capsule 10 of the reed switch, and the magnet 96 will be adjusted by sliding it along the surface.

Where such sliding fit arrangement is provided, the mounting lugs and adjustment means above described will be eliminated.

It will also be noted in the form of push button assembly that the magnet holding section 91 has alongitudinal slot 102 formed therein parallel to the axis of the reed switch. Lead 17 passes through the slot and, hence, downwardly through chamber 83 about the ring magnets 94 and 96 to its point of connection with contact prong 84. The longitudinal slot 102 permits the push button to reciprocate freely with respect to lead 17. V

In ope-ration when all the elements are assembled as shown in FIGURE 19, the movea-ble magnet 94 can be calibrated to the desired position by adjusting the push button assembly 87 with the adjustable stop means 89 to position the moveable magnet, with respect to the reed elements of the reed switch.

While this form of the invention is distinguishable from the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13, it is similar to the extent that the reed switch RS and the push button assembly 87 are constructed and arranged to permit the reed switch to be set for normally ope-n or normally closed operation either by a fixed mount or the adjustable mount of FIGURE 15 of the drawings.

As shown in FIGURE 19, the push button assembly is positioned so that the reed elements and their respective contacts 13 and 14 at the free end are positioned for normal-1y open operation.

When the push button assembly 87 is deflected inwardly along the axial line of the reed switch, the reed strips 11 and 12 being of a highly permeable material will serve as a path for the magnetic flux lines. Thus, flux lines passing from the north pole to the south pole of the magnet will enter the respective strips. Contact 13 receives a south polarity and contact 14 a north polarity. The contacts then coact to attract each other, and thus close the circuit.

In effect, as the magnet 94 moves downwardly, the flux lines from the north polarity from the magnet 94 enter the contact end of strip 11 thus inducing a south polarity at the contact 13 and a north polarity at the fixed end of the strip. Conversely, the flux lines from the north polarity of the magnet enter the fixed end of the reed element 12 and pass from the fixed end to the contact end making the contact 14 a south polarity which coaots with the north polarity of the contact end 13 of the reed element 11. The induced opposite polarity of contacts 13 and 14 cause the contacts to attract each other into the make or closed position for the current carrying circuit.

Simultaneously, with this action, however, when the magnet 94 is moved to the dotted position as shown for example in FIGURE 10, there will be a concentration of opposed magnetic fields between the m'oveable magnet 94 and the fixed magnet 96.

Therefore, when the force depressing the push button assembly is released, it will, responsive to the repulsive magnetic forces acting between the magnet 94 and magnet 96, return to the initial position wherein it abuts the stop shoulder 89.

It may be desirable to preset the contacts 13 and 14 by utilizing the magnetic held of fixed magnet 90.

Where this arrangement is used, then the effect of depressing the push button switch will be to either cancel out the magnetic field of ring magnet means 90 or to produce opposite polarization of the contacts 13 and 14.

This functional arrangement may give more precise and instantaneous operation, and permits variations in the relative strength of the respective ring magnet means 94 and 96 to achieve the desired operation.

FIGURE 21 shows a substantially identical form of push button switch to that above described for FIG- URE 19.

It differs in that the reed switch is the type shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

Accordingly, the same elements in FIGURE 21 previously described with respect to other figures of the drawings have been given the same character numerals. In this form of the invention, the reed switch RS is shown in normally closed position. When the magnet is set as shown in FIGURE 21 and then depressed until the center line of the ring magnet is normal to the contacts 24 and 25, the contacts 24 and 25 will repel each other and break contact between the reed elements 21 and 22. This operation is similar to that above shown and described for FIGURE 11 of the drawings.

If the reed switch RS is normally open, then the ring magnet is set so that in the depressed position the center line is just above the element 22. In this position the contacts 24 and 25 attract each other and the reed elements 21 and 22 are brought into contacting relationship.

In either type of operation the repulsive effect of the coacting magnets will serve as a magnet spring for holding or returning the push button assembly 87 to its initial position.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that reed switch RS" could be replaced by the reed switch shown in FIGURE 6 and the operation of the ring magnet adjusted in accordance with the operation above described for FIGURE 6, to provide a push button switch with magnetic spring return means of the single pole double throw type.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH POSITIVE PUSH ON-PULL OFF ACTUATING MEANS In this form of the invention as shown in FIGURES 23 and 24, the attractive efiect of magnetic forces is utilized to produce a positive acting push on-pull ofi type switch.

FIGURE 23 shows the invention as applied to a conventional reed switch and FIGURE 24 as applied to the improved reed switch shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The elements of these devices are substantially identical.

Thus, referring to FIGURE 23, a base as shown at 110 in which the conventional type reed switch RS is mounted as by a mounting support 111 to permit it to extend in the longitudinal line of an elongated casing 112 which has one end connected to the base 110 and is of sufiicient length to extend beyond the end of the reed switch RS remote from the connected end so as to form a chamber 113 about the reed switch.

Since one end of the reed switch is held in the mounting support 111, the lead 18 is brought through the mounting support whereas the lead 17 is carried downwardly alongside the reed or through the push button assembly as was described for FIGURES 13 and 19 to a suitable contact prong (not shown) which serves with reed 18 to connect the reed switch in the current carrying circuit in which it is being utilized.

The end of the elongated cylindrical casing 112 remote from the end connected to the base 110 has a transverse wall 115 in which a center opening 116 is provided in the axial line of the cylindrical casing 112 to provide an inner guide surface for a push button assembly generally designated 117.

The outer periphery of the transverse wall is threaded as at 118 to provide for mounting the push button switch in a chassis or control panel.

The push button assembly 117 includes a guide section 121 having a diameter such that it will have a sliding fit with the inner wall of the opening 116 and a magnet holding section 122 for holding a ring magnet means 124 in position.

Between the guide section 121 and the magnetic holding means 122 is a connecting wall 123 which, as shown in FIGURE 23, forms a sliding fit with the wall of the chamber 113 of the elongated cylindrical casing 112.

The ring magnet means 124 is similar to that described above for the FIGURE 13 form of the invention and can also be mounted into position during the formation of the push button assembly in a manner similar to that form of the present invention.

The ring magnet means 124 of the push button assembly is moveable therewith when the push button assembly is depressed along the axial line of the reed switch assembly RS.

This moveable magnet means 124 will coact with a pair of fixed magnets 125 and 126 which are mounted on the reed switch RS on opposite sides of the moveable magnet 124; that is, one magnet is on the north side of the magnet 124 and the other magnet is on the south side of the magnet 124.

The magnets 125 and 126 are, of course, of the same type as that above described for the FIGURE 13 form of the invention, and hence, are not described in more detail.

It will be noted, however, in this form of the invention that the magnet 125 is fixed directly to the outer portion of the envelope 10 of the reed switch RS while the magnet 126 is held on the envelope of the reed switch by means of a magnet-holding bracket 127 which is disposed to fit over the end of the reed switch RS remote from the end connected in the mounting support 111.

In this form of the invention, the polarity of the respec tive magnets are so disposed that the magnets attract each other in either position of the operation.

Calibration can be accomplished by the usual adjustable stop means 128 in the transverse wall 115 as in the form of the invention above described. The settings can be adjusted by the magnet 125 by moving it axially as in the adjustable ring magnet means of FIGURES 19 and 21.

As shown in FIGURE 23, the push button is disposed with the permanent magnet 124 attracted to the fixed magnet 126 where it is firmly held in position so as to have the desired predetermnied relationship with the contacts 13 and 14 of the reed elements of the reed switch.

Conversely, the magnet 125 is positioned with its north pole on the upper side adjacent to the south pole of the ring magnet means 124 so that when the push button assembly is depressed in the axial line of the reed switch RS, the ring magnet means 124 will be positively attracted to the fixed magnet 125 and hold the magnet means 124 in this position.

Thus, the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 23 provids a positive acting switch which must be pulled from one position or pushed to the other by overcoming the attractive forces of the respective magnets in the present assembly.

The coaction between ring magnet means 124 and the reed switch RS is otherwise identical to that of FIGURE 13 form of the present invention above described.

In FIGURE 24 the elements identical with those above described for FIGURE 23 are given the same character numerals.

However, FIGURE 24 differs in that the reed element is that of the type shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

The operation is identical with that described for FIG- URE 23, and the coaction between the ring magnet and the reed switch is similar to that described for FIGURE 11 and as in the form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 16.

1 5 It will be understood that when the reed switch of FIG- URE 6 is substituted for that in FIGURE 24, the operation of this form of the invention will change only in so far as it provides a positive push on-pull off single pole double throw type switch.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH SHUNT MEANS A further simple form of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 25 and 27 of the drawings.

This form of the invention is characterized by the fact that the lines of magnetic force are cut or shunted to produce the desired operation of the switch.

Thus referring to FIGURES 25 and 26, the drawings show that this form .of the device includes a base 130 with a mounting means 131 for a reed switch generally designated RS of the type shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings to permit the reed switch to extend longitudinally of and co-axially with the longitudinal line of an elongated cylindrical casing 132 which has sufiicient length to extend beyond the end of the reed switch and to form about the reed switch a chamber 133.

A transverse wall 134 is former at the end of the elongated cylindrical casing 132 remote from the end connected to the base 130. The peripheral portion of the transverse wall 134 is threaded as at 135 to provide means for mounting this form of push button switch to a control panel or chassis.

Extending through the transverse wall 134 is a bore or opening 136, the inner wall of which serves as a guide for a push button assembly 137, hereinafter more fully described.

The push button assembly 137 is shown as including an elongated guide means 138 of generally cylindrical form.

The outer end of the guide is closed, and the end remote from the closed end which is in the chamber 133 has a shoulder formed as at 139 adapted to coact with a resilient element 140 which abuts the shoulder at one end and at the end remote therefrom engages the face of a ring magnet means 141 mounted in the chamber 133 by means of a plurality of spaced lugs 142a and 14217, as is shown in FIGURE 25 of the drawings.

The ring magnet means 141 is similar to that described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings.

However, the ring magnet means 141 differs to the extent that the opening therein as at 143 is slightly larger to permit the magnet to be positioned about the reed switch RS in assembled position and have a substantial gap formed between the inner face of the opening 143 and the outer surface of the envelope 20 of the reed switch RS.

This gap permits the functioning of a shunt means generally designated 144 to be utilized for the deactuation of the contact elements as is more fully described hereinafter.

The shunt means 144 is mounted about the shoulder end of the push button assembly 137 and comprises a substantially cylindrical element which has an inner diam-' eter and an outer diameter or an annular thickness such that it will fit about the envelope and between the outer surface of the envelope and the inner wall of the opening 143 formed in the magnet means 141.

Furthermore, the shunt means 144 will have sufficient length so that when the push button assembly is depressed it will fully cover or substantially cover the total thickness of the ring magnet means 141 at the point where the gap is formed between the opening 143 and the outer wall of the envelope as is indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE of the drawings.

The shunt means, in order to operate effectively in the form of the invention, must be a material which is readily permeable to magnet lines of force but must have characteristics of low magnetic retentivity if it is to work effectively in this form of the invention.

In operation, the components above described are assembled, and as shown in FIGURE 25, the ring magnet means 141 will be positioned to produce the lines of force in the respective contacts 24 and 25 such that these normally open contacts attract each other to provide a closed relationship when mounted in the circuit.

When the push button assembly 137 is depressed to move the shunt means 144 to the position shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 25 of the drawings, the magnetic lines of force of the ring magnet means 141 will pass through the shunt means. Since the reed elements 21 and 22 have low magnetic retentivity, the normal forces which bias these elements out of engagement will act to separate the contacts 24 and 25, and thus deactuate the circuit in which the push button switch is operating.

In FIGURE 27 a shunt operated push button switch is also shown utilizing a conventional reed switch RS. It includes a base having a mounting means 131 for the reed switch to permit the reed switch to extend longitudinally of and co-axially with the longitudinal line of an elongated casing 132' which has sufficient length to form about the reed switch a chamber 133.

A transverse wall 134' is formed at the end of the elongated cylindrical casing 132 remote from the end connected to the base 130. The peripheral portion of the transverse wall 134' is threaded as at 135' to provide means for mounting this form of push button switch to a control panel or chassis.

Extending through the transverse wall 134 is a bore or opening 136', the wall of which serves as a guide for a push button assembly 137' hereinafter more fully described.

As in the previous forms of the invention, the lead 18 extend-s through the mounting means 131' and the lead 17 at the end remote from the mounting means is carried down through chamber 133' to a contact prong 17a which extends through the base 130.

The interior portion of the contact prong 17a in the chamber 133 is connected to the'line 17, and the exterior portion, together with reed line 18, provides means for connecting this form of the invention into the circuit in which the device is used.

The push button assembly 137' is shown as including tan elongate-d guide means 138' of generally cylindrical orm.

The outer end of the guide means 138' is closed. and the end remote from the closed end which is in the chamher 133' has a shoulder formed as at 139 adapted to coact with a resilient element 140' which abuts the shoulder at one end and at the end remote therefrom engages the face of a ring magnet means 141' mounted in the chamber 133' by means of a plurality of spaced lugs 142'a and 142'12, as is shown in FIGURES 27 and 28 of the drawings.

The ring magnet means 141' is similar to that described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings.

However, the ring magnet means 141' differs to the extent that the opening therein as at 143'is slightly larger to permit the magnet to be positioned about the reed switch RS in assembled position and have a substantial gap formed between the inner face of the opening 143' and the outer surface of the envelope 10 of the reed switch RS.

This gap permits the functioning of a shunt means generally designated 144 to be utilized for the deactuation of the contact element as is more fully described hereinafter.

The Ping magnet means 141' is adjustable relative the envelope 10 of the reed switch RS by means of slots 145a and 14512 in the casing 132'; threaded members 146a and 14612 extend therethrough and are threaded into the lugs 142'a and 142']; respectively. Coacting lock washers 147a and 147b are provided for the threaded elements 146a and 14612.

The threaded members 147a and 1471) obviously serve to supportably mount the lugs 146a and 14611 to the casing 132'.

However, by loosening, moving and retightening the threaded members 147a and 147b, the ring magnet means 141 can be moved within the limits of the slots 116a and 11617 in the casing, and, thus, perm-it :putting the ring magnet means 114 into the desired setting.

The shunt means 144 is mounted about the shoulder end of the push button assembly 137' and comprises a substantially cylindrical element which has an inner diameter and an outer diameter or an annular thickness such that it will fit about the envelope and between the outer surface of the envelope and the wall of the opening 143 formed in the ring magnet means 141.

Furthermore, the shunt means 144 will have sufiicient length so that when the push button assembly is depressed it will fully cover or substantially cover the total thickness of the magnet means at the point where .the \gap is formed between the opening 143 and the outer wall of the envelope 10 as is indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 27 of the drawings.

The shunt means in order to operate effectively in the form of the invention must be a material which is readily permeable to magnet lines of force but must have characteristics of low magnetic retentivity if it is to work effectively in this form of the invention.

In operation, the components above described are assemble-d, and as shown in FIGURE 27, the ring magnet means 141 will be positioned to produce the lines of force in the respective contacts 13 and 14 such that these contacts attract each other to provide a closed relationship when mounted in the circuit.

When the push button assembly 108 is depressed to move the shunt means 144' to the position shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 27 of the drawings, the magnetic lines of force of the ring magnet means 141 will pass through the shunt means. Since the reed elements 11 and- 12 have low magnetic .retentivity, the normal forces which bias these elements out of engagement will act to separate the contacts 13 and 14, and thus deactuate or open the circuit in which the push button switch is operating.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCHES WITH A PLURALITY OF REED SWITCHES In the forms of the invention above described, the coaction between a single reed switch and a ring magnet is illustrated.

In the form of the invention as shown in FIGURES 29 to 33 push button switches are illustrated with a plurality of reed switches in operative association with a ring magnet means.

Thus, in FIGURES 29, 30 and 31, a push button switch is shown having a base 150 with a plurality of mounting supports as at 151:: and 151b for mounting one end of a reed switch in each respective mounting support to permit each reed switch to extend longitudinally and coaxially of the longitudinal line of an elongated cylindrical casing 152 which is connected at one end to the base 150 and is sufiic-iently long to extend beyond the opposite end of the individual reed switches and to form thereabout a chamber 153.

The end of the cylindrical casing 152 remote from the end connected to the base 150 has a transverse wall 154.

The transverse wall 154 has a centrally disposed opening 155 and is threaded about the upper end as at 156 to threadably receive therein an adjustable stop means 157 which in turn is provided with an opening as at 158 of a slightly lesser diameter so that the adjustable stop me-ans forms a shoulder as at 159.

The openings 155 and 158 serve as a guide for a push button assembly generally designated 160.

Any suitable means such as lug 158a can be provided to adjust the stop means 158 when it is necessary to calibrate the position of the push button assembly 160 relative the contacts of the reed switches.

The push button assembly 160 comprises a guide section 161, a magnet holding section 162 and a transverse connecting section 163 between these sections.

The guide section 161 has a stop shoulder as at 164 formed thereon which coacts with the stop shoulder 159 formed by stop means 158.

At the end of the magnet holding section 162, remote from the transverse connecting wall 163, a ring magnet means 165 is connected in any suitable manner as by attaching with an epoxy adhesive or by a mechanical snap in lugs 166a, 166b, etc., as described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings.

The magnet holding section 162 will have suflicient length to bring the ring magnet means 165 into close proximity with a plane normal to the coacting contacts 13 and 14 of the respective reed elements 11 and 12 of each reed switch RS shown.

The ring magnet means 165 i constructed as above described for the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings, however, it differs to the extent that the central opening 167 is large enough to fit about the outer periphery of all of the respective reed switches RS.

Since the ring magnet means 165 is connected to the push \button assembly 160, it will be movably therewith under all conditions.

Thus, if the push button assembly is depressed by suitable for-ce exerted on the outer or external portion of the guide section 161, the ring magnet means 165 will move therewith.

Similarly, if the push button assembly 160 is adjustably positioned by threading the adjustable stop means 158 in or out of the threaded portion 157, the ring magnet means 165 will be moved a corresponding amount relative the envelope of the respective reed switches. Thus, a simple adjusting means is provided to obtain the desired calibration of the reed elements when the push button switch is placed into operation.

The movable ring magnet means 165 coacts with a fixed or stationary ring magnet 168 which has similar structure.

The stationary ring magnet means 168 and movable ring magnet 165 coact to provide repulsive magnetic field forces which serve a two fold purpose. First, they hold the stop shoulder 164 in engagement with the stop shoulder 159 formed on the stop means 158 as shown in FIG- URE 29. Second, the stationary magnet means 168 ro vides the force for returning the push button assembly 161) to which the ring magnet means 165 is connected into such abutting relationship when the depressing force moving the push button assembly 160 out of its initial position is removed.

Thus, except for the minor variation of a plurality of reed switches and a difierent adjusting means, this form of the invention is similar to the structure and operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 19 of the drawings.

The operation will also be similar, thus, the push button switch is assembled and placed into the circuit by connecting with the elements of the respective reed switches, and the push button assembly is calibrated by the adjusting means 158.

When the push button is depressed, the contact 13 and 14 will be actuated depending upon whether they are required to attract or to repel each other and by reason of the fact that the movable ring magnet and the stationary ring magnet are set so they have the same north polarity each, when the depressing force is removed the push button assembly will be returned to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 29 of the drawing.

In FIGURES 32 and 33, a slightly different relationship of the ring magnets and the reed switches are shown to the extent that in this relationship the ring magnets are centrally located and the reed switches are disposed pe ripherally of the ring magnets. Further, the reed switches are disposed in staged relationship so they are each actuated at different times during the movement of the actuating ring magnet means.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 32 and 33, the effect of the repulsive forces of magnetic field are once again used for holding the movable magnet in its initial setting and returning it to this setting.

In FIGURES 32 and 33, the push button switch is shown as having a base 170, mounting supports 1710, 171b, 171e, 171d, 171e, etc., for the reed switches RS. An elongated casing 172 forms a chamber 173 about the reed switches similar to each of the forms of the inventions above described.

The longitudinal casing 172 also has a transverse wall 174 which is threaded on the outer periphery as at 175 to mount the push button switch to a control panel or chassis.

The transverse wall 174 is provided with a center opening as at 176, and the wall of the opening 176 serves as a guide means for push button assembly 177.

In this form of the invention, the mounting supports 171a, 171b, 171e, 171a, and 171e, etc., are disposed just inwardly of the periphery of the base 170. The reed switches are mounted in the mounting supports longitudinally of and in a plane concentric to the longitudinal axis of the casing 172 as is shown in FIGURE 32 of the drawings.

In each instance, the reed switch contacts 24 or 25 are disposed at different planes normal to the longitudinal axis of the casing 172 for obtaining staged operation of the switches which will be clear when the operation is described.

The mounting supports 171a, 171b, 171a, etc., can either be fixedly or, as shown in FIGURE 17, adjustable to position the respective reeds for normally open or normally closed operation.

The respective reed switches have the leads extending through their mounting means for connection to the circuit in which the device is used.

The push button assembly 177 is cylindrical in shape and has a sliding fit with the wall of the opening 176.

Since the opening 176 communicates with the chamber 173, the push button assembly 177 is free to extend into the chamber 173. The inner section of the assembly 177 is provided with a flanged portion 178 inwardly of the end disposed to abut the transverse wall 174.

The end of the push button assembly 177 in the chamber 173 is threaded to receive an adjustable magnet holder 179 which can be locked into position by the pin 180 after ring magnet means 181 mounted thereon as by a suitable means such as an epoxy adhesive is adjusted by threading in or out for the desired calibration of this particular form of the invention.

The ring magnet means 181 and the holder 179 are movable with the push button assembly 177, and, thus, when the push button assembly is depressed, the ring magnet means 181 will pass adjacent the outer surfaces of the envelopes 20 on each of the reed switches RS, so that the continuous magnetic field of the ring magnet means 181 is applied to the reed elements 24 and 25 of each of the switches whereby operation of each of the contacts thereof is affected as the ring magnet means magnetic field comes into operable relation therewith.

In other words, as the center line of the ring magnet means 181 passes through the plane normal to the contacts 24 and 25 of each of the respective reed switches, the reed elements of that reed switch RS will be actuated or deactuated, depending upon the particular setting for the reed switch.

The movable ring magnet means 181 coacts with a stationary magnet 182 which is shown as afiixed by an epoxy 20 adhesive or other suitable means to the inner face of the base 170.

It is believed obvious to those skilled in the art from the description of the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 21 and 29 above described that this magnet will serve to hold the push button assembly 177 and to return the push button assembly 177 to its initial position against the transverse wall 174 as shown in FIG- URE 32 of the drawing.

Furthermore, it is also believed obvious to those skilled in the art from the above description that the device, as shown in FIGURES 29 and 32, could be modified to provide a stationary ring magnet means adjustable relatively respective. envelopes of each of the reed switches RS.

This could be established by providing a sufficiently strong ring magnet means to influence the setting of the reed switches which magnetic means could be adjustably mounted as was shown in FIGURES 19, 20 and 21, so that the magnetic means could be disposed about the reed switches RS and be adjusted by movement in the slots provided in the casing.

When the force depressing the push button assembly 177 is released, the repulsive forces of the magnetic field of the stationary magnet 182 will return the push button assembly 177 to abutting relationship with the transverse wall 174.

The transverse wall 174 is also provided with a latch means 183 which can be disposed in engagement with notches 184 on the exterior of the push button assembly 177 to hold one or more than one reed switch in actuated or deactuated position, as operation may require.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH INDICATOR LIGHT FIGURE 34 illustrates the present invention adapted to provide an indicator light therewith.

In so far as push button switch characteristics are concerned, this device is substantial-1y identical to the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 16 and described above. Accordingly, the same character numerals are applied thereto.

The mounting of the reed switch RS has been strengthened with some epoxy resin designated ER so that the reed switch, an indicator light IL and the lead lines and 191 communicating with the indicator light IL will be firmly held in assembled position.

The circuit is represented diagrammatically as including a power source 192, a switch 193 and resistance means 194 connected in series with the leads 28 and 29 of the relay and in parallel with the indicator light IL.

When the switch 193 is thrown, the indicator light IL will be off. When the push button assembly 57 is depressed, the indicator light IL will be on.

' It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other forms of indicator lights can be adapted to coact with the arrangement of the switches in the present invention.

SLIDE TYPE MAGNETICALLY OPERATED SWITCH In FIGURES 35, 36, 37 and 38, a slide type magnetically operated device utilizing a reed switch as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings is shown as including a front plate 200 having a longitudinal slot 201 formed therein.

A back plate 202 is held in space relation to the front plate by spacers 203 and threaded means 204 as shown in FIGURES 35, 36 and 37 of the drawings.

Leads 17 and '18 of the reed switch RS extend to the 7 The slide assembly 206 has three major parts: namely,

a magnet holding section 207, a slide plate section 208, and a handle section 209, as is shown in the exploded perspective view of FIGURE 38.

The handle section permits the slide assembly to be fitted through the slot 201, because the handle has a neck portion as at 210 which fits the slot. A threaded member 211 extends through the handle section 209 and the slide plate section 208 to engage the magnet holding section 207 and to lock the elements in the assembled configuration shown in FIGURES 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the drawings.

The slide plate section is a flat member which stabilizes the movement of the slide assembly when the assembly is mounted in the slot 201 as shown in FIGURES 35, 36 1 and 38.

The magnet holding section is split to form an opening as at 212 to permit the magnet holding section to be spread slightly so that magnet 205 can be pressed or fitted and held in position in the magnet holding section 207 of the slide assembly 206.

The slide plate 208 of the slide assembly will coact with stop springs 213a and 2131) on the inner force of the front plate 200.

Thus, in operation, when it is desired to actuate the reed switch, the slide assembly 206 is moved from engagement with one stop spring into engagement with the other stop spring and vice versa for deactuation of the reed switch.

As in the forms of the invention above described at FIGURES 19 and 21 of the drawings, a fixed magnet can be used to influence the reed switch for normally open or normally closed operation. However, in the slide assembly operation, no return means either mechanical or magnetic is required for operation.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reed switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing,

(b) at least one reed switch including an envelope longitudinally mounted in said casing,

(c) a plurality of reed elements each having one end connected in said envelope and extending in the longitudinal line of said envelope to permit the end remote from the respective connected end to coact with each other to form a switch,

(d) said connected end of each respective reed element to extend through the envelope to connect the reed switch to the current carrying circuit,

(e) a push button assembly slidably and guidably mounted in said casing so as to be movable relative the longitudinal line of said reed switch on application of pressure thereto,

(f) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adapted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(g) said permanent magnet means disposed about the envelope of the reed switch for longitudinal movement along the outer surface thereof to actuate the coacting ends of the reed elements,

(h) and means to operably connect said permanent magnet means 'for movement with the push button assembly and to position said permanent magnet means to an initial setting relative the coacting ends of the reed elements for uniform actuation of the coating ends of the reed elements,

(i) and means disposed to coact with said push button assembly to hold said assembly and permanent magnet in said initial setting and to return said push 75 button assembly and permanent magnet means to said initial setting after movement thereof.

2. In a reed switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing,

(b) at least one reed switch including an envelope,

(c) a plurality of reed elements each having one end connected in said envelope and to extend in the longitudinal line of said envelope to permit the end remote from the connected ends to coact with each other to provide a switch,

(d) said respective connected ends adapted to extend through the envelope to connect the reed switch to the current carrying circuit,

(e) a push butt-on assembly mounted on said casing and to move relative the longitudinal line of said reed switch assembly,

(f) a ring magnet means mounted in said push button assembly and disposed in operative relation to said envelope for actuating the coacting ends of the reed elements,

(g) means to calibrate said push button assembly to standardize the operation of each respective reed switch assembly of a particular type,

(h) and means disposed to coact with said push button assembly to hold said assembly in its initial setting and to return said push button assembly to any given initial setting after movement thereof.

3. In a reed switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing,

(b) at least one reed switch including an envelope,

(c) a plurality of reed elements each having one end connected in said envelope and to extend in the longitudinal line of said envelope to permit the end remote from the connected ends to coact with each other to provide a switch,

(d) said respective connected ends adapted to extend through the envelope to connect the reed switch to the current carrying circuit,

(e) adjust-able means for mounting the reed switch in said casing,

(f) .a push button assembly mounted on said casing and to move relative the longitudinal line of said reed switch assembly,

(g) a ring magnet means mounted in said push button assembly and disposed in operative relation to said envelope for actuating the coacting ends of the reed elements,

(h) and means disposed to coact with said push button assembly to hold said assembly in its initial setting and to return said push button assembly to any given initial setting after movement thereof.

4. In a reed switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing,

(b) at least one reed switch including an envelope,

(c) a plurality of reed elements each having one end connected in said envelope and to extend in the longitudinal line of said envelope to permit the end remote from the connected ends to coact with each other to provide a switch,

(d) said respective connected ends adapted to extend through the envelope to connect the reed switch to the current carrying circuit,

(e) a push button assembly mounted on said casing and to move relative the longitudinal line of said reed switch assembly,

(f) a ring magnet means mounted in said push button assembly and disposed in operative relation to said envelope for actuating the coacting ends of the reed elements,

(g) and means disposed to coact with said push button assembly to hold said assembly in its initial setting comprising:

(a) a casing-having a 'base at one end and a tnansverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch mounted in said base and including coacting reed elements,

(c) said transverse wall having an opening,

(d) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(e) said push button assembly operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

( f) stop means on said transverse Wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(g) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adapted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(h) said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(i) and means to operably connect said permanent magnet means for movement with the push button assembly and to position said permanent magnet means to an initial setting relative the coacting ends of the reed elements for uniform actuation of the coacting ends of the reed elements,

(j) and return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom.

6. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch including coacting reed elements,

(0) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

((1) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

( f) said push button assembly operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(h) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adapted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(i) said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(j) and means operably connecting said permanent magnetic means for movement with the push button assembly,

(k) return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold 75 24 said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom,

(l) and said mounting means adjustable to position the reed elements if the reed switch relative the ring magnet means for the desired operation.

7. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch including coacting reed elements,

(0) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

(d) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(f) said push button assembly operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(h) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adopted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(i) said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(j) and means operably connecting said permanent magnetic means for movement with the push button assembly,

(k) said stop means adjustable to calibrate the switch assembly for standarized operation,

(1) and return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom.

8. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch including coacting reed elements,

(c) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

((1) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(f) said push button assembly 'operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(h) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adopted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(i) Said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(j) and means operably connecting said permanent magnetic means for movement with the push button assembly,

(k) and return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold a said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom,

(1) said return means being another means,

(m) bracket means on said casing to hold said last 25 mentioned ring magnet means relative the longitudinal line of the reed switch,

(11) and adjustable means on said bracket means to adjustably position said ring magnet means for the desired operation of the switch assembly.

9. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch,

(c) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

(d) reed elements for said reed switch each having one respective end thereof connected to the same point of reference in said reed switch and disposed to extend externally of the reed switch and through said mounting means for connection to the current carrying circuit,

(e) at least one of the reed elements of said reed switch having a length greater than the other reed elements,

(t) said transverse wall having an opening,

(g) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through the opening in said transverse Wall,

(h) said push button assembly operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(i) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(j) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adapted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(k) said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(1) and means to operably connect said permanent magnet means for movement with the push button assembly and to position said permanent magnet means to an initial setting relative the coacting ends of the reed elements for uniform actuation of the said coacting ends of the reed element,

(in) and return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold said push button assembly and permanent magnet means in said initial setting in engagement with the stop means and to return said assembly and magnet means to this position after it is moved therefrom.

10. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch including coacting reed elements,

(c) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

(d) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(-f) said push button assembly operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly at an initial setting therefor,

(h) a 360 permanent ring magnet means made of magnetically stable material adopted to provide a predetermined full and uniform magnetic field of a given polarity and strength,

(i) said permanent ring magnet means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(j) and means operably connecting said permanent magnetic means for movement with the push button assembly,

(k) and other ring magnet elements mounted in said casing and disposed to provide at least one ring magnet element on opposite sides of said 360 permanent ring magnet means to provide mutually attractive magnetic fields therewith whereby said push button assembly requires positive push on and pull off action for the operation of the switch assembly.

11. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a reed switch including coacting reed elements,

(0) mounting means in said base to mount said reed switch in the longitudinal line of the casing,

(d) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(=f) said push button operatively associated with the inner wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly,

(h) and a ring magnet means mounted in said casing,

(i) said magnetic means disposed about the reed switch and normal to the longitudinal line of the reed switch and in operative relation therewith to actuate and deactuate said switch,

(j) said ring magnet means having an enlarged central opening which forms an annular space between the outer surface of the reed switch and the inner wall of the central opening,

(k) shunt means mounted on and movable with said push button assembly and disposed to fit in said annular space to shunt the magnetic lines of force of said ring magnet to actuate and deactuate the reed switch,

(1) and return means in operative association with said push button assembly to hold said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom.

12. A switch assembly for a current carrying circuit comprising:

(a) a casing having a base at one end and a transverse wall at the end remote from said base,

(b) a plurality of reed switches each having coacting reed elements,

(c) mounting means in said base for each of said reed switches to mount said reed switch in spaced relation and substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal line of the casing,

(d) said transverse wall having an opening,

(e) a push button assembly slidably mounted in the longitudinal line of said casing and disposed to extend externally of said casing through said opening,

(f) said push button operatively associated with the inner Wall of said casing,

(g) stop means on said transverse wall disposed to engage said push button assembly,

(h) and magnetic means having a continuous 360 magnetic field mounted in said push button assembly and slidable therewith,

(i) said magnetic means disposed in the casing normal to the longitudinal line of the respective reed switches and movable longitudinally relative the reed switches to actuate and deactivate said switches,

(j) and return means disposed on the side of said push button assembly remote from the stop means to hold said push button assembly in engagement with the stop means and to return it to this position after it is moved therefrom.

13. In a switch assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the reed switches are disposed for staggered operation.

27 7 28 14. In a switch assembly as claimed in claim 13 in- 3,014,102 12/1961 Del Bianco et a1 ZOO-87 eluding means for holding said push button assembly in 3,025,372 3/1962 Benson 200-87 at least one of the staggered positions of operation, ,042,771 7/ 19'62 OhVeaO ZOO-87 X 3,055,999 9/1962 Lucas 20067 References Cited by the Examiner 5 3,170,057 2/1965 Kane t a1 200167 UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 2,498,683 2/1950 Hubbell 200 s7 X 581,023 8/1958 Italy. 2,847,528 8/1958 Combs 20087 X 2,907,846 10/1959 Wilhelm 2OO 87 X BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Prm'mry Examzner. 2,923,791 2/1960 Corbitt et a1 200 87 10 ROBERT SCHAEFER, Exammer- 2,985,733 5/1961 Karnps ZOO-87 J. J. BAKE-R, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A REED SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR A CURRENT CARRYING CIRCUIT COMPRISING; (A) A CASING, (B) AT LEAST ONE REED SWITCH INCLUDING AN ENVELOPE LONGITUDINALLY MOUNTED IN SAID CASING, (C) A PLURALITY OF REED ELEMENTS EACH HAVING ONE END CONNECTED IN SAID ENVELOPE AND EXTENDING IN THE LONGITUDINAL LINE OF SAID ENVELOPE TO PERMIT THE END REMOTE FROM THE RESPECTIVE CONNECTED END TO COACT WITH EACH OTHER TO FORM A SWITCH, (D) SAID CONNECTED END OF EACH RESPECTIVE REED ELEMENT TO EXTEND THROUGH THE ENVELOPE TO CONNECT THE REED SWITCH TO THE CURRENT CARRYING CIRCUIT, (E) A PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY SLIDABLY AND GUIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID CASING SO AS TO BE MOVABLE RELATIVE THE LONGITUDINAL LINE OF SAID REED SWITCH ON APPLICATION OF PRESSURE THERETO, (F) A 360* PERMANENT RING MAGNET MEANS MADE OF MAGNETICALLY STABLE MATERIAL ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED FULL AND UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD OF A GIVEN POLARITY AND STRENGTH, (G) SAID PERMANENT MAGNET MEANS DISPOSED ABOUT THE ENVELOPE OF THE REED SWITCH FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ALONG THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF TO ACTUATE THE COACTING ENDS OF THE REED ELEMENTS, (H) AND MEANS TO OPERABLY CONNECT SAID PERMANENT MAGNET MEANS FOR MOVEMENT WITH THE PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY AND TO POSITION SAID PERMANENT MAGNET MEANS TO AN INITIAL SETTING RELATIVE THE COACTING ENDS OF THE REED ELEMENTS FOR UNIFORM ACTUATION OF THE COATING ENDS OF THE REED ELEMENTS, (I) AND MEANS DISPOSED TO COACT WITH SAID PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY TO HOLD SAID ASSEMBLY AND PERMANENT MAGNET IN SAID INITIAL SETTING AND TO RETURN SAID PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY AND PERMANENT MAGNET MEANS TO SAID INITIAL SETTING AFTER MOVEMENT THEREOF. 